Evaluation of the radiopacity of various post materials [Farkli post materyallerinin radyoopasitelerinin değerlendirilmesi]

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of four different types of post materials by using a digital image analysis method. Materials and Methods: Various brands of four post systems CosmoPost (Ivoclar Vivadent, Leicester, UK), Unicore (Ultradent, Salt Lake City, CA, USA), D.T.Light-Post (Bisco Inc, Schaumburg, IL, USA), FRC Postec (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were used for the study. Eight specimens from each post type of 2 mm in thickness were obtained using a diamond blade mounted on a cutting machine. Eight digital radiographs of the specimens and 99% pure aluminium (Al) step wedge (SW) were acquired under standard exposure conditions. The mean gray values of each specimen and Al-SW were measured using a digital imaging software. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (p=0.05). Results: The highest opacity was observed for Cosmopost (7.37±0.17 mmAl), which was followed by Unicore (4.3±0.26 mmAl), D.T.Light-Post (2.11±0.1 mmAl), and FRC Postec (1.72±0.24 mmAl), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions: Even though all three post materials are based on fiber, the radiopacity values of FRC Postec, D.T.Light Post and Unicore were different from each other; this was concordant with the literature. Zirconium dioxide containing Cosmopost revealed the highest radioopacity. These findings shall be further evaluated and confirmed by clinical investigations in order to provide more substantial decision.